Erling fought for the traditional small, autonomous kingdoms and the þing system, against the reformists of the Fairhair family line.

[1] According to the Norwegian-Icelandic saga tradition Erling Skjalgsson, son of Torleiv Skjalg Ogmundsson, belonged to one of the most prominent clans in western Norway.

His sister was married to Sigurd Toresson, an important chief in Trondenes and the brother of Tore Hund of Bjarkøy.

[3] After the Battle of Svolder resulted in the defeat of Olav Tryggvason, the victorious leaders split Norway into three areas of control.

King Olav tried to split his powers by introducing new local nobles, but these were quickly pushed out by Erling's traditional clout.

However as his army was shipborne, Erling was trapped on a single ship by King Olav's fleet in the Battle of Boknafjorden near Bokn in Rogaland.

Backed by Canute the Great, Erling's allies went on to drive Olav out of the country, and then finally kill him at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030.

Erling Skjalgssons gate at Frogner in Oslo was named in his honour as were streets in Trondheim, Stavanger, Haugesund and Sandnes.